Family's wheelchair-accessible van stolen in Stratford

A Stratford man says his family is struggling with transportation following the theft of their wheelchair-accessible van last week.

James McDowell says the van was essential for his son, who has cerebral palsy.

McDowell says he was shocked by the theft, adding that he has never experienced anything like this in his neighborhood. He says his girlfriend realized Friday morning that the van was not in the driveway.

"I was surprised that something would happen right in my own driveway to the van, so after a few seconds of disbelief, I finally came to the realization that someone had probably stolen it," he says.

He says replacing that van would cost around $15,000.

"We are relying on Metro Taxi now so that's really the only form of transportation that's available to the house," he says. "It's kind of cold to try and use a bus route right now."